Expansion cage

ABSTRACT

An open-webbed cage support device providing support that enabling a mechanical device such as a thermal expansion tank to be suspended or mounted adjacent to the thermal water heating device without the need to improvise a “made in the field” support structure.

BACKGROUND - CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/221,052, filed Jul. 27, 2000.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This Invention is in the field of mechanical device and apparatussupports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the fields of plumbing, it is common to install thermalexpansion tanks at domestic water heaters. The purpose of theseinstalled tanks are primarily to aid in the prevention of damage to thehot water storage tank from thermal expansion caused by increasedtemperatures of the heated water.

[0004] These tanks are typically sized to permit the thermal expansionof the water to inflate a bladder within the tank, thus permitting thewater to expand without placing undo strain on the water heating device.

[0005] Typical manufactured expansion tanks that are sized to meet thethermal expansion needs of smaller sized water heaters are not equippedwith their own supporting means. The manufacturer of these tanks hasassumed that the attached piping can support the tank itself.

[0006] However, more frequently, it has been determined within theplumbing industry that many plumbing codes require that these tanks beself-supporting. This means that the code no longer permits the tank tobe supported from above or below the adjoining piping system.

[0007] Thus far, the solution has been for the installer of the tank todevise some means to support the tank. Typically these means consist ofsheet metal strapping that is not overly strong. Such improvisedinstallations often appear less than of a quality assembly.

[0008] Often, mechanical engineers will detail such a support means aspreviously described detailing accurate sizes of strapping and locationsas to where these straps should be positioned. Unfortunately, thisthough improved improvised method to support these tanks still lacks asa quality appearing and practical application.

SUMMARY

[0009] The invention is a support device to provide support to a thermalexpansion tank by cradling the tank within a open webbed cage that isaffixed to a wall surface, thus preventing the weight of the tank fromresting on the attached piping system.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0010] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention are:

[0011] A. The open webbed structure permits the thermal expansion tankto rest evenly within without placing undo strain on any individualportion of the outer surface.

[0012] B. The mounting holes permit ease in affixing the invention to aflat wall surface.

[0013] C. The lower open ring of the cage permits pipe connectionfittings to reset comfortably through the ring.

[0014] Advantages over prior methods of supporting these expansion tanksinclude:

[0015] A. Uniformity and quality in the completed installation of a hotwater tank and adjoining piping system.

[0016] B. Simplicity of the securing of the mounting apparatus intendedto secure the expansion tank.

[0017] C. Avoidance of the need to improvise a means to secure theexpansion tank.

[0018] D. Avoidance of possible rejection of the installation due tonon-compliance with local building codes.

[0019] The cage is made of welded steel rod and is painted to preventrusting of the metal. However, a material such as stainless steel oraluminum can be used in the construction, thus preventing the need of aprotective paint finish.

[0020] Likewise, the cage can be made of plastic. The cage can alsopossess a cushion to help support the tank. This cushion is typicallymade of rubber or neoprene. It is positioned around the upper ring ofthe cage. When the tank is inserted into the cage, the sides of the tankwill rest against this cushion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a top view of the Expansion Cage.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a side view of the Expansion Cage.

[0023]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the cage.

[0024]FIG. 3-a is a partial side view showing the placement of the Cagealong a flat wall surface.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a view demonstrating the placement of an Expansion Tankwithin the Cage.

[0026]FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the Cage having a flat round upperring.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the upper ring with a rubbercushion in place.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the Cage showingthe technique of a buckle to secure the tank.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029]1. Lower ring

[0030]2. Upper ring

[0031]3. Support rods

[0032]4. Top eyelets

[0033]5. Lower eyelet

[0034]6. Screws

[0035]7. Expansion Tank

[0036]8. Threaded pipe fitting

[0037]9. Threaded Nut

[0038]10. Set-screw

[0039]11. Rubber gasket

[0040]12. Upper flat ring

[0041]13. Strap

[0042]14. Latching knob

[0043]15. Latch

[0044]16. Holes

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] The invented Expansion Cage is made of steel with all joints andseams welded to insure strength and durability. It is rounded andcylindrical in shape and of sufficient height to permit the comfortablepositioning and support of a thermal expansion tank. The cage has alower circular shaped ring that permits the bottom portion of thesupported tank to fit flat to the bottom portion of the cage whilepermitting ease in making mechanical connections to the treaded fittingon the tank.

[0046] From this ring, a number of round supports wire rods extend firstaway from the ring in all directions. Then these rods extend verticallyup from the base position thus creating a cylinder shaped open webbedcage. These rods are secured in place by the welding of each rod to asecond circular shaped ring located at the top of the cage. This uppersecond ring, though circular, does not close to make a full circlearound the cage. Rather, either end of this ring is bent in such afashion to create a flattened plane at one vertical side of the cage.Rounded hooks or eyelets are also formed at the end of each side of thisring. An additional rod extends from the lower ring but rather thanextending upward, it turns slightly down with an eyelet formed at itsend.

[0047] This flattened plane will permit the cage to be easily affixed toa flat vertical surface such as a wall. The described eyelets permit thecage to become fastened to the wall or other surface by insertingattachment apparatuses such as screws or bolts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048]FIG. 1 is a top view of the cage. Lower ring 1 and upper ring 2are visible. Support rods 3 extend outward from the lower ring. Topeyelets 4 as well as lower eyelet 5 are viewed from their side.

[0049] Turning to FIG. 2, a frontal view of the cage. Both top eyelets 4and the lower eyelet 5 are mode clearly shown. The closed eye is weldedto insure strength.

[0050]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the cage. The flatten plane isdemonstrated as having screws 6 affixing the cage to a wall surface.FIG. 3-a is a partial side view of this same demonstration showingclearly how the flattened plane fits against the flat wall surface.

[0051] In FIG. 4, it is demonstrated how an Expansion Tank 7 if loweredinto the cage. Threaded pipe fitting 8 of the tank fits through lowerring 1. Piping connections are made to this fitting after the tank is inposition within the cage.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0052] The upper ring can also be made of flat steel that is formed intoa circular shape. Utilizing this type of upper ring will permit threadednuts to be positioned around the flat surface. By inserting screws orbolts similar to a conventional set-screw, the supported tank can bemore rigidly secured and supported.

[0053]FIG. 5 demonstrates how the upper ring of flat steel 12 hasthreaded nuts 9 affixed along its surface. Set-screws 10, when tightenedagainst tank 7 secure the tank in place. The upper eyelets are replacedwith holes 16 for the purpose of securing the cage to the wall surface.

[0054]FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the cage showing how a rubbergasket 11 is attached to upper ring 12.

[0055] In addition, the outer position or plane of the cage can also beleft open. That is the portion opposite to the flattened portion wherethe cage is mounted to a wall. In this alternate embodiment of theinvention, A means of strapping the tank is employed to assist in thesecuring of the tank within the cage. This described strapping is of anynumber of conventional materials suited for this purpose. They includenylon, light-gauge sheet metal and rubber. A securing buckle is thenutilized to tighten the strapping around the tank. FIG. 7 is anisometric view of this alternate embodiment of the invented cage. Here,upper ring 12 is divided into two pieces with strap 13 affixed to oneside. Latching knob 14 inserts between the slots of latch 15 after thetank is positioned within the cage. This latch, latching knob, and strapmakes up a bucket that holds the tank in place.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0056] Thus the reader will see that the invented expansion cageprovides a practical, inexpensive method to both secure and support athermal expansion tank.

[0057] Although the description contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention. The many uses of the invention should not be limited bythe example of use here in described. Thus the scope of the inventionshould be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents,rather than by the example given.

We claim:
 1. A means to support a mechanical device whereby saidsupported device is without self-supporting apparatus.
 2. A device tosupport a mechanical device whereby said supported device is withoutself-supporting apparatus.
 4. A support cage assembly device comprising:a. a rounded open-webbed cage b. a lower supporting ring c. attachmentappendages whereby a non-self-supporting device may rest upon said lowersupporting ring and within said open-webbed cage thus having saidsupport cage assembly affixed to a flat surface by said attachmentappendages thus enabling said device to be supported.
 5. A expansiontank support cage device comprising: a. a rounded open-webbed cage b. alower supporting ring c. attachment appendages whereby anon-self-supporting expansion cage may rest upon said lower supportingring and within said open-webbed cage thus having said support cageassembly affixed to a flat surface by said attachment appendages thusenabling said device to be supported.